IT raids at TN Chief Secy's house

Chennai: The drive against black money hoarders following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currencies took a new turn, with the Income-Tax department officials conducting raids at the premises of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao in the city this morning.

The raids, which began at around 0600 hrs, were continuing at ten places, including Mr Rao's Annanagar West residence, his son's house and office premises and at other places, said to be their family members and those close to them across the city.

 IT department sources confirmed that the raids were on at the Chief Secretary's residence based on concrete evidences against them and several incriminating documents were said to have been seized during the searches. This was for the first time in Tamil Nadu the residence of an incumbent Chief Secretary was subjected to searches by the IT department, which has launched a major drive to unearth black money, ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November eight took the entire nation by surprise by announcing that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currencies would no longer be a legal tender. (UNI)